Dear Praying friends,
We haven't written for a couple of weeks. Sometimes it seems like there is a sameness and routine--not too much seems new. However, in reviewing the last couple of weeks, I'm sure "sameness" and "not new" are two terms that you won't think fit after you read this. When you are living day by day, some things just seem to not be as big a deal, but we are thankful for blessings and protection.
About 6 weeks ago I received an email from a missionary lady in Peru who said that she knew a couple that was coming to Mexico City where the man was going to study, and could I send directions to our church. Since this city is soooooo big, we have heard things like that before and the people have ALWAYS lived very far away from where we are located. She did mention the school where the man would be studying. I have heard of that place, (if it's the one I had seen before) and it's about 3 minutes down the mountain from our church. Two weeks went by and one Wednesday night there was a knock on the door at church--Jorge and Cecilia, the couple from the email were there. They came right in and haven't missed a service since--including ladies' and mens' meetings. They had not checked their email to get the news and our church address from the other missionary lady until that night and decided to go look for our church. They live one street over and 3 streets down from our church and can come walking. :-) What a blessing they have been in the short time that they have been with us. Praise the Lord with us for them. They have been an encouragement, and we pray that we will be an encouragement to them.
We have been having two men's meetings per month--meeting before our SS hour. Please pray that the book that we are studying on preaching would be a help to the 7 or 8 men who are attending faithfully.
This past Sunday for dinner we had 2 of our church couples for lunch (actually, it was dinner, we ate "lunch" at 6:00 PM.) It was a very encouraging time as they were interested in how we as a church can be more of a family. We talked about being honest with each other, really loving others where they are, and dealing with problems honestly. Praise the Lord for this interest. Pray for us to all put it into practice.
Reme and Juana and their family have moved up to within about 1/2 mile of where we live now. They are living in a house that Sylvia has on her property. About a week and a half ago, they were awakened at 2:30 AM to what they first thought were fireworks. Then they realized it was the sound of gunshots. There was a shootout right behind their home. The bullets were kicking up dirt and they could hear the dirt coming down on their roof. The shootout lasted 1 1/2 hours. Machine guns, pistols and some other kind of high powered gun were all used. The next day, the big news was that 15-20 men had stormed the nearby house. The people in the house had weapons and fought back. That's why it lasted so long. The father died in the home while the wife and 3 of the children (all older) were taken in a car and found shot to death about 1 mile from us. The family that was all killed was into drug trafficking, so it appears that it was all drug-related. Things in Mexico as a whole have been in great upheaval, but closer to Mexico City, things have been pretty quiet on the drug front. Please pray that the Lord would continue to protect us as He so faithfully has up until now. (Jon Crocker said that he heard it that night from our cabin across the yard.)
Mike's mom has been planning and saving up for a family reunion for the last several years. The fruits of her labors have finally come to fruition. We all will be leaving on Thursday for Florida for the reunion. The countdown has been pretty excruciating for all these kids in school--and mom the teacher along with the Crockers who have had to put up with the excited kids :-) Mom Goldfuss will be present, Mike's 6 other brothers and sisters with their spouses, and 22 cousins/grandkids, etc. Please pray that we will have a nice time of rest, relaxation and spiritual refreshment and encouragemente together. Please pray for Jon and Andrea as they hold down the fort at home and church.
Thank you for all your prayers,
In Christ,
Mike for all the Goldfii
